Harry could admit he wasn't too disappointed that Bill and Charlie had found out. He could admit like Lucius he had missed the private part of the date. But it was some relief knowing someone knew about him and Lucius and had not freaked out. The only one whose opinion really had too much influence was Remus but he did love the Weasleys and they had bad blood. But he knew the twins would support him if he was happy. He was happy to know he had the backing of the older brothers as well. Well he didn't know about Percy but he had never been close to him. For now he didn't plan to tell anyone else. He knew the time would come but for now was focussed on Albus.
Harry was finishing up his last class at the auror academy on Friday morning before lunch. He had a few hours at the bank after lunch before he planned to see Lucius. He had to be on campus the next day for quidditch practice with his two teams.
He was surprised when he saw Remus when he was leaving class. "I wasn't expecting you. Is something wrong?"
Remus looked serious. "Should I be hurt you think something has to be wrong?"
Harry reminded him. "You normally would be writing. And I have classes for a few more hours."
Remus assured him. "I just dropped Teddy off with his grandfather and I thought to take my older son out for lunch."
Harry was surprised. "Ted retired after the stroke."
Remus agreed with him. "For the most part but he was helping out with a project this morning."
Harry's stomach grumbled. "Well I for one am happy to have some company for lunch before the bank."
Remus walked out with him. "Since we won't be having dinner together." And when he saw Harry's look. "You are never home Fridays."
Harry hid a blush at that. "I do have dinner plans."
Remus squeezed his arm. "I am happy you are getting out. I do hope to meet him soon."
Harry wasn't sure how well he'd take it. "Its just a bit of fun right now. If we get serious I will."
Remus reminded him. "You don't need to be considering marriage with the first guy. Or that serious to introduce me."
Harry almost choked. "Definitely no wedding bells in the plans."
Remus clapped him on the back. "They will come eventually with someone. But you are young."
Harry headed out with him. "Not anxious for grandchildren? Have almost enough gray hair."
Remus smirked at that. "I am lucky you haven't turned me totally grey. Hopefully Teddy is easier on me."
Harry reminded him as they walked out. "You were going gray old man before I met you again."
Remus would give him that. He was not full grey even now but he had definitely had streaks of it when he was teaching Harry. He was certainly old enough to be a grandfather as he was told enough to be Harry's dad. But he didn't think Harry would be ready for a few years. He hoped his son found love and enjoyed life for a while before that. But he would welcome any grandchild when they came even with his other son in diapers. He considered Harry as much his son as Teddy and planned to be a doting grandfather when they came. He planned to give Molly competition.
They were heading for a café near the bank when they heard a shout from the book store. Harry could have sworn he recognized the voice but even if he had not he headed towards the shop with Remus hot on his trail.
Harry stopped dead in his tracks when he saw a body lying on the ground. "What happened?"
A store clerk who screamed was shaking. "I don't know. I found him like this."
The manager had come around. "I have called for the aurors."
Harry walked around and was shocked when he saw the face. "Ted?"
Remus ran to his side when he heard him. "What is he doing here? Where is my son?"
The store clerk turned to him. "The little boy who was with him? He was looking at books over there."
Harry turned his attention to the area. "We have to find him."
Kingsley arrived with the aurors. "Harry what is happening here?"
Remus responded instead. "Tonks' father was attacked and my son is missing."
Ted who was being seen to by a medic spoke up. "Kreacher."
Harry turned to him and knelt. "Ted what do you mean?"
Remus' pulse was racing. "Teddy?"
Ted was having trouble sitting up. "Kreacher."
Harry realized the man was too out of it to respond so he called his elf. "Kreacher."
Kreacher appeared next to him. "Master I do what told. I take him."
Harry was confused. "You have Teddy?"
Kreacher nodded. "He at manor master. Kreacher be leaving him only because master call."
Harry was shocked Kreacher had come to Ted but he was relieved. Kreacher did not like muggle borns though he took care of them when Harry asked him to. But for him to have actually come when Ted called was a shock to him. He had no idea why Ted had been attacked and what was happening but was relieved his little brother was safe. He knew they would get answers from Ted and sent Kreacher back to the manor. He was surprised the elf had taken him to a manor and not to Grimmauld. He was even more surprised when he learned what manor it was.
Though Remus was anxious to see his son he went with Harry and Ted to the hospital. He needed to know what happened and he was worried about his father in law as well. A very anxious Andromeda arrived as they were waiting to be allowed in to see him.
Andromeda was white as a ghost as they waited. "How is he in here again?"
Harry motioned to the room. "The aurors are with him."
Remus put his hand on the woman. "We will find out who did this. And Teddy is safe."
Andromeda looked at him. "I am sure you would like to be with Teddy."
Remus sighed. "Stop this Andromeda. You know I care about Ted."
For once Andromeda left it at that and they waited until they were allowed into the room. Ted had been seen to but he had been asked to speak to the aurors alone before they could come in. Harry and Remus were as anxious as Andromeda to find out what had happened to Ted. They were allowed into the room about twenty minutes later and they were relieved to see Ted was fine.
Ted was shaken as he looked at Remus. "Teddy?"
Remus assured him. "He is safe with Kreacher. What happened?"
Ted explained. "I realized I was being followed and was worried. I sent Teddy with Kreacher."
Andromeda sat down with him. "Why would anyone follow you?"
Harry looked at the man. "He attacked you?"
Ted nodded. "He demanded to know where Teddy was and when I refused he hit me with a spell."
Harry was relieved the aurors had some description. "He is coming after you because of me."
Remus put a hand on his arm. "This is not your fault."
Andromeda agreed with her son in law. "The man needs to be taken down."
Harry looked at all three. "You guys are going to the continent. All four of you. I will not have you at risk."
All three adults looked ready to protest but Harry was not taking no for an answer. He didn't know if the man would have kidnapped Teddy or just meant to scare them but he didn't care. He was not going to allow his little brother or anyone he loved to be at risk. If he could send his other family members and friends away he would too but he knew they would not go. But he was not taking no for an answer with these three.
He reminded them all. "He just proved he will go through any of you to get at me. I need to know you are safe."
Harry had to pressure them but in the end he had got his way. He had intended to send them to one of his homes he had on the continent. He had considered a Prince home as he thought less of a link to trace. But Harry wanted to make sure they were as safe as possible and didn't know how much Albus knew of his homes on the continent. The Delacaurs were too obvious as well due to his bond with Fleur as were the Longottoms who owned a home abroad or the Krums. It was Lucius who had come up with a solution for them. He sent Remus and the Tonks with Teddy to a home in Southern Romania. It was owned by the new headmaster of Durmstang. He was an old friend of Lucius but not a known one. The man had taken over when Igor had gone on the run and was never dark himself. He was a good friend of the Krums and Lucius but Albus would see no possible link to the man. He was happy to provide his private home for the group and to even allow it to be further charmed.
Harry was relieved to see them go and he hoped that he could solve them and get them home soon. Lucius had promised to have some of his private security keep an eye on the Burrow as well as the shops of the twins. And on Hermione for him as well. He knew Harry was worried.
Harry was busy pouring through the memories for hours on Saturday when Kreacher appeared. "Master's guest is here."
Harry was confused as he looked up. "I am not expecting anyone."
Kreacher bowed. "He be saying that he is here for dinner."
Harry was confused but he guessed. "Lucius?"
Kreacher confirmed it "He be down in the hall."
Harry sighed. "You can allow him up here."
A few moments later Lucius appeared in the door. "I am glad you allowed me in."
Harry reminded him. "Remus is not here."
Lucius came over. "You forgot our date."
Harry reminded him. "Its not the right time."
Lucius agreed with him. "But you do need to eat. Have you taken a break since they left?"
Harry couldn't deny it. "The sooner I find something to nail him with the sooner I can bring them home."
Lucius brought out a bag. "You need energy to sustain you."
Harry smelled the food. "What ever you brought smells delicious."
Lucius brought the bag over and put it down. "I went muggle for this."
Harry was amazed at the Chinese take out. "I never suspected such food from you."
Lucius admitted. "Back in my law school days I used to eat this when I studied."
Harry was reminded the man had done law school like his son. "I never took you for the starving student type."
Lucius laughed and admitted that he wouldn't go that far. Like his son he had lived in the townhouse when he first finished school. He had hoped to have a chance like his son to pursue law. But between the war and his father he had joined the family business right after he finished. He had turned Malfoy industries into what it was, barely more then investments when his father ran it. But he had three years where he got to be a normal bachelor, other then working for Voldemort, before he had been forced to marry Narcissa. When he finished school he was wed off to Narcissa and moved into a wing of the family home. He could admit he had taken an extra year to finish his studies to put off marrying her. He had been twenty one when they married and it had taken further for them to have their son. They shared a bed as rarely as possible.
Harry had always liked take out and he was happy to dig into some of the food that Lucius had brought for them. It definitely was a change from the food that Lucius always chose for them. Lucius pointed out that tonight would have been Harry's night to choose date plans.
Harry smirked when he heard that. "Don't think that is saving you."
Lucius played coy. "Save me from what?"
Harry didn't buy it. "This doesn't count as my choice. Next date is still mine to choose."
Lucius reminded him. "Between your brothers and this I think you owe me."
Harry could give in a bit. "I will take it a bit easier on you next date."
Lucius laughed and chucked an egg roll at him. "Maybe there will be no next time."
Harry munched on the end of the egg roll. "Oh I doubt you will hold out long."
Lucius couldn't deny that. "I am not running away lion."
Harry smiled. "Well then you better help me nail that man so we can have another date."
Lucius reminded him. "You need to eat and you now have a whole house to yourself."
Harry smirked. "I'd like my family back sooner. And I have to be back to class on Monday."
Lucius reminded him. "You are an unofficial student and they would understand."
Harry knew he had a point and had missed quidditch that day. "I don't need him to be suspicious. I have to act normal."
Lucius knew he had a point. "He isn't aware Remus and the others are gone."
Harry shook his head. "And I hope to keep it that way for a bit."
Lucius handed him some more noodles. "Then I guess we will have to work even harder."
Harry eyed him over the food. "Anxious for my chaperone to come home?"
Lucius smiled a bit. "Not much of a chaperone but I know you worry. And having to wait for a date is incentive enough."
Harry reached out and kissed him. "I would not be opposed to company."
Lucius looked at what Harry had been doing. "So what are we doing?"
Harry sighed. "Looking for the attacker."
Lucius was confused for as far as he knew the man had not been caught. Harry agreed but he had a general description from Ted and from the store clerk as well. He hoped the aurors would find him or more about it soon. But he needed to find a way to tie it to Albus. He had been going through memories of Albus meeting with different people. He had been taking snippets of memories, almost like a muggle photo, of any of the more suspicious people Albus had used. He had used a lot of rats during the war and Harry had to wonder if one of them was used.
Lucius thought he had a good idea. "He wouldn't be dumb enough to use anyone like Fletcher that would be connected to him."
Harry had thought so. "Besides Ted would have recognized the man."
Lucius added. "Besides that Fletcher is a thief but little more. He didn't go into battle."
Harry was reminded of how Moody died. "He freaked out and got Moody killed."
Lucius sighed. "I never understood why the fool had been sent. Fletcher is pretty tame and good hearted. He'd never hurt someone."
Harry sighed. "No just slinks around stealing things instead."
Lucius admitted. "Albus caught him stealing in his school days. He saved him from expulsion by putting him to work."
"Why would we have him on guard duty I never got." Harry wondered aloud.
Lucius sighed. "I have my suspicions that Moody was his target. That his death was not accidental."
Harry stopped when he heard that. "You said he would never hurt anyone. Why would he set Moody up?"
Lucius sighed. "The way the man was acting after, your fa….Severus suspected Fletcher was under the imperius."
Albus would have known or seemed to have hoped that Harry would be okay. Moody had his suspicions about Albus for years. He had worked with Severus and even Lucius at times. It would not be the first time that Albus got rid of someone he had once used as an ally. Lucius could not link it to him but it seemed his spies had been fed to Voldemort when they ran out of use. Moody was not so simple to deal with.
Harry was angry as they finished for the night. "I need to find proof for Moody as well. That man didn't deserve to die like that."
Harry had spent the weekend and the next three days after class going through memories after memories. He had a few dozen faces. Lucius had taught him a spell so he could have magic pictures of a kind and not just the memories. Harry knew there was a chance the man was not in this group but he had to do something. His blood boiled when he thought about the risk his little brother had been in and Ted as well. And when he remembered how Moody and Hedwig had died during the escape as well. He had liked the auror. Oddly he had liked the fake one a bit too.
Lucius thought about others he suspected Albus had a hand in. He didn't tell Harry for he didn't want Harry any more angry then he already was. The truth would come out about the others if they could nail Albus. They could have him questioned about it if he was arrested.
Harry reluctantly headed to school on Thursday to attend quidditch practice for his lions. 'I already missed last.'
Ginny smiled when she spotted him. "I am glad you decided to come finally."
Collin agreed. "What kind of coach skips out?"
Harry shook his head. "I can still make you guys run laps."
Ginny reminded him. "Last time I looked I was captain."
Harry smiled at her. "That means you only listen to me."
Ginny didn't find it funny. "How is it I am the first captain to have to answer to a coach?"
Harry was worried. "I hope you don't mind."
Ginny laughed and shook her head. "You know I am kidding. Happy to have some tips and back up."
Harry motioned to the field. "Get playing or I will rethink the lap running."
Collin dragged her off. "Lets not see how serious he is."
Dennis who was seeker agreed. "Your brothers say he is as bad as his old captains."
Harry went up to the stands and got his mind into the practice. He was happy to work with them and with Hufflepuff who he had promised he would come to their practice the next day as well as the weekend. He didn't have to go to more then one practice a week but he wanted to treat both teams equally and he felt guilty missing the first one. He had known Albus would be an issue when he had taken on this job. Slytherin and Ravenclaw would have Rollanda coaching them. His teams deserved to have his attention and dedication as well.
He was happy when Neville joined him as practice was winding down. One of the down sides to being reluctant to be here was not seeing as much of Neville. Between his job and his girlfriend Neville didn't leave campus a great deal. Luna said he was a work aholic like Harry.
Neville walked with him after the practice ended. "I was supposed to direct you."
Harry was worried. "Not under the pay roll of the headmaster are you?"
Neville reminded him. "You know me better."
Harry agreed with him. "Where are we going?"
Neville motioned to the town. "George's shop. There is news for you."
Harry was confused why he hadn't just been told. "Why send you?"
Neville smiled. "They could not floo you on the pitch. And it seemed the easiest way."
Harry was confused. "Who?"
Neville kept his lips sealed for now. "Don't need anyone to hear."
Harry understood. "No one would think it odd I visit George."
George smiled when he came in. "Hey Harry I have something I need to show you."
Harry knew that this was part and nodded. "Need me to test a new product."
George laughed as he led Harry into the backroom. "Something like that."
Harry knew there was no products to be tested and wondered what he had been summoned for. He was surprised when he found Kingsley in the back room and was a bit worried. He trusted Kingsley and the man of course knew that Harry was worried and needed to keep things quiet. The man may not have been as close as Moody but he was an order member as well. And had not been blind to Albus like some had been.
Harry hoped he had good news. "Did you find anything?"
Kingsley nodded. "We found the man."
Harry was relived. "Did you get anything from him?"
Kingsley motioned him to sit. "Unfortunately he had his memories erased."
Harry was confused. "Do we know it was him?"
Kingsley confirmed it. "The man stole some from the store to make it look like theft. The items were on him."
Harry knew that made sense. "Didn't want anyone to know who the target was."
Kingsley took something out. "The store clerk identified him. But I brought this for you. We need Ted to confirm it as well."
Harry looked at the wizarding photo in his hand. "I will send it to him. Does he have to be here?"
Kingsley assured him. "Not unless it goes to trial. We just need him to ID it."
Harry was distracted as they spoke to him. He couldn't tell Kingsley right now as the man didn't know about his Gryffindor blood. But he too recognized the photo. He stayed for dinner with George as he didn't want to worry the others but he sent Kreacher to have Lucius meet him back home. Lucius knew it was not for a date of course and was waiting for Harry when he arrived back at Grimmauld.
He showed Lucius the photo. "Look at who I found."
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